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 Trent to Extend Free Tuition Offer to Eligible Secondary School Students in 2010FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Board holds meeting in Oshawa and tours location for new Trent facility From the Board of Governors Meeting – Friday, October 30, 2009 Enrolment Update Dr. Jim Parker, Vice President, Research, International and Strategic Enrolment Management, confirmed Trent’s plan to offer free tuition to those eligible graduating high school students who achieve a grade point average of 90 per cent or higher. The program, introduced for the first time in 2009, will be extended to the 2010 cohort of graduating secondary school students. The free tuition initiative is targeted at recognizing outstanding secondary school students and will be extended to them for the duration of their academic career at Trent, if they annually maintain a 90 per cent minimum average. The offer is available to all domestic students and excludes additional, required ancillary fees. “In a tight economy, the free tuition program will take on special significance in attracting high quality students from the communities that Trent currently serves in the Peterborough and Oshawa areas. It will also assist in reaching prospects in new markets where we plan to increase Trent’s profile and recruitment activities over time,” said Dr. Parker. Vision and Renewal of Planning Processes Dr. Steven Franklin, President and Vice-Chancellor provided an update on the progress with the University-wide Integrated Planning initiative. “Momentum is building through this planning process,” noted President Franklin. “A priority for me as President is to build a rich and open consultation process. The Integrated Planning program will provide members of the University community a meaningful opportunity to engage in the consultation process. Through this planning process, decisions will be stronger and more credible. “ The overview included background on the Vision Renewal Review Committee, the Changing Academic Structures Advisory Committee and the Strategic Directions Advisory Committee. The Integrated Planning initiative includes a number of other new complementary committee structures that will feed into the overall planning process:
Upcoming opportunities for community engagement and information sharing in the Integrated Planning process include:
The overall planning process will lead to the adoption of an Institutional Integrated Plan that will incorporate plans prepared by individual work units. Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Meri Kim Oliver, Interim Associate Vice President of Student Services, provided the Board with an overview of the province’s Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). The Act identifies five standards related to accessibility including: Customer Service; Transportation; Information and Communications; Employment; and the Built Environment. In her report, Ms. Oliver outlined the requirements of the new Service standard and the status of implementation at Trent. The Customer Service Standard is the first standard to be implemented and compliance is required by the province by January, 2010. Meeting in Oshawa Prior to their meeting, Board members had an opportunity to tour the new St. Michael’s School property that Trent has acquired, located on Vancouver Court. Board members were presented with background information on the renovation plans, construction timelines and schematics. Trent University has been serving the Oshawa community since 1974. In 2009, it acquired the school property to serve as a new hub for learning and innovation. UOIT and Durham College, Trent’s partners in higher education, are conveniently located a 15 minute drive from the new Trent University in Oshawa campus. The new campus is located five minutes north of Highway 401, steps to the Oshawa Civic Auditorium Complex, and blocks from the Oshawa Centre mall, the Oshawa GO Station, and major thoroughfares. The new facility is scheduled to be open for September 2010. - 30 - For more information contact: Don Cumming, Senior Director, Public Affairs and Government Relations, (705) 748-1011, ext. 6181 |
